Birch Essential Oil is one kind of oil that has many health benefits. Among its benefits is as a disinfectant, tonic, stimulant, germicide, analgesic, detoxifying, insecticide, antidepressant, antirheumatic, diuretic, antiseptic, astringent, febrifuge, antiarthritic, and it has a good therapeutic grade. These great benefits are associated with the properties you find in birch oil.
Nevertheless, birch oil there are two kinds, it is white oil and silver. These oils are scientifically known as Betula Pendula. The second is the Black Birch, Sweet Birch, or Cherry Birch which is called Betula Lenta. Birch essential oil is very useful in the world of health because it contains important constituents. The main constituents in birch oil are Methyl Salicylate, Salicylic Acid, Betulenol, and Betulene.
The aroma of birch oil is also very impressive and interesting. This is not like the smell of wood as it does in other tree oils. But, birch oil is almost the same as wintergreen oil. Even though its uses and benefits are similar, both are good for controlling muscles and joints. This is because they have soothing properties, its methyl salicylate compounds.
Birch or Sweet Birch is categorized into ornamental and medicinal plants. This plant has already been planting as a medicinal plant as well as an ornamental plant since ancient times. Some of birch essential oil benefits are as below:
Health Benefits of Birch Essential Oil
1. Antidepressant and Stimulant
2. Antiseptic and Disinfectant
Birch oil contains salicylic acid and methyl salicylate. Both act as a natural antiseptic and disinfectant. Both types of these acids are also well known as a germicide and bactericides in the world of health. These substances are beneficial to keep the skin of fungi and bacteria.
3. Lowering heat in fever
Furthermore, the benefit of birch essential oil is to lower the heat temperature during fever. Betula lenta or Black Birch also works to remove toxins in the body through sweat while you have a fever. It will speed up the healing for those who suffer from fever.
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4. Astringent and Tonic
The essential oil of birch also be an alternative for those who are older people. This oil helps reduce wrinkles on the skin and muscle. Astringent properties within useful for strengthening the gums, hair, and muscle toning. Using birch essential oils regularly can improve your appearance to look younger than your age.
5. Analgesic and Antispasmodic
This birch tree oil also acts as an analgesic and antispasmodic. It means that Birch is also useful for reducing pain in the joints and muscles as well as diseases related to toothache and head. In addition, this magic oil is also beneficial for reducing cramps throughout the body.
6. Germicide and Insecticide
Birch essential oils are very potent in eradicating germs and insecticides. This is thanks to the salicylic acid and methyl salicylate presence within. Both compounds are important and good for stopping eczema, ringworm, and various types of skin diseases.
7. Anti-Arthritic and anti-rheumatic
As we know birch essential oil is helpful for blood flow, so this oil also has an important role in curing all health problems that occur due to interrupted blood flow such as rheumatoid arthritis, edema, and arthritis. Birch oil also has the task of detoxification, thus facilitating healing because the toxins have been removed.
8. Detoxifier and depurative
As a good therapeutic grade oil, it acts for detoxification, birch essential oil helps with personal care like eliminating toxins such as uric acid through sweating and increasing the frequency of urination. So, in other words, birch oil can purify the blood of toxins.
9. As a natural diuretic
Birch essential oil or Betula lenta helps boost urination. Betulenol and Betulene compounds are important components that regulate this issue. Increasing urination is very useful for the body because it can reduce waste and toxins in the body.
In addition, the benefits of frequent urination are helping you lose weight, digestion, cure infections of the urinary system, lower blood pressure, and kidney cleansing. Not only that but also urination is good for preventing kidney stones and arthritis.
10. Skin Cure
Furthermore, birch tree oil is useful for controlling and treating skin diseases. It is very good for treating germs because it contains anti-bacterial substances and contains salicylic acid and methyl salicylate. This compound is a powerful drug against eczema, ringworms, skin infections, and other skin diseases.
11. As Skin Toner
Sweet birch has been used centuries ago for skin care. Uses on the skin regularly both to prevent skin wrinkles and eliminate sagging skin. In addition, it also contains good astringent properties for healthy gums, muscle, and hair care. So, regular use of birch essential oils can keep your skin healthy and make your appearance youthful.
How to Use Birch Essential Oil
Birch essential oil contains properties that are similar to aspirin, then you are prohibited from using it for internal purposes. So, stay away from birch oil out of the reach of children. If you are taking aspirin, then be careful with this oil, and consult a doctor to dispel your doubts.
Birch oil should not be used directly but must be diluted with carrier oils. Using it with carrier oils aims to reduce the effects of birch oil. You can use some kind of oil to dissolve the birch like orange, bergamot, lime, lemon, grapefruit, lavender oil, jasmine oil, frankincense, rosemary oil, clove oil, cinnamon, juniper berry, and some other oils.
Caution: Birch essential oil should not be used under certain conditions such as breastfeeding, and pregnancy. Some of the side effects that may occur due to excessive oil use are edema, seizures, kidney problems, and heart disease.